Chairman’s
Summary
of the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
in
Defence Ministers Session
- Defence Ministers and Representatives of the member countries
of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) met in Brussels
today.
Ministers discussed Partnership’s growing role in
addressing the new security challenges. They also exchanged
views on the process of
building security and stability in Afghanistan.
- Ministers recalled the decisions taken at the Prague Summit of November
2002 to launch a set of measures to invigorate and adapt the Partnership.
They agreed that implementation of the new mechanisms and reshaping
of existing ones was well on track. They noted the progress made so
far, particularly in relation to the Partnership Action Plan against
Terrorism and Individual Partnership Action Plans.
- Ministers reiterated the commitment of Allies and Partners to unite
against terrorism as expressed in the Partnership Action Plan against
Terrorism and discussed the future role of Partnership in countering
terrorism and other asymmetric threats. Ministers noted the interest
shown by Partners in Individual Partnership Action Plans as a sign that
Partnership is responding to the specific needs of individual Partners.
Ministers also exchanged views on possibilities for broader use of Partnership
for Peace Trust Funds and closer regional cooperation.
- Ministers discussed Partnership's role in current and possible future
operations. They recalled that, based on the operational capabilities
and mechanisms developed in the framework of PfP, Partners and Allies
have worked extremely well together in operations in the Balkans. They
underlined that this successful and efficient cooperation should continue.
- Ministers took stock of the situation in Afghanistan following NATO’s
decision to enhance its support to the International Security Assistance
Force. They discussed the way ahead in building security and stability
in Afghanistan, and agreed that the contributions of Partners many of
whom already participate in ISAF, would remain very important, as NATO
takes on the leading role in this mission.
- Ministers considered a number of reports on the Partnership, including
on the ongoing implementation of the Partnership decisions taken at
Prague. They also received progress reports on the implementation of
the Operational Capabilities Concept and the Political-Military Framework
for NATO-led PfP Operations, as well as on the Training and Education
Enhancement Programme. Allies and Partners participating in PARP approved
the PARP Ministerial Guidance.
- Ministers welcomed progress of work to date and underlined the need
to ensure full implementation of the upgraded Partnership launched at
Prague. They stressed the need to continue to work vigorously to ensure
that the Partnership is fully adapted to respond to the requirements
of the evolving security environment.
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